Messy doggie drinkers defy gravity

Messy doggie drinkers defy gravity


Ever wonder how dogs and cats appear to defy gravity by drinking with their heads down? Or why dogs are so much messier about it?

Well, new research using high-speed video answers this important piece of barroom trivia. It appears that both dogs and cats curl their tongues into cup-like shapes, but while cats scoop from the surface, dogs punch down into the liquid.

Because of surface tension, dogs can then draw up a large column of water, which they capture with their mouths. Needless to say, a lot of the liquid is lost via spray that never quite reaches the intended target.

People could drink this way as well, although we’d waste a lot of water before we wet our whistles.

So the next time you enjoy a tall, cool one, think how big the bar tab would be if you were a dog. Not to mention the cleaning bill.

 

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